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We are a leading treatment facility offering state-of-the-art, evidence based programs for mental health disorders, addiction and dual diagnosis. Our Admissions team at (951) 221-4018 is available 24/7 to answer your questions and enroll you in one of our programs.

Adderall Addiction Treatment

Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are potent neurostimulants. It is usually prescribed to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. Dependency on Adderall is also an increasingly common form of drug addiction.

What is Adderall?

Adderall restores the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain and works by triggering the release of adrenaline and dopamine. These neurotransmitters increase the heart rate and blood flow in muscles, making the person feel energetic and rejuvenated. The drug also improves alertness, concentration and memory.

For many years, it was estimated that about 3-5 percent of children were affected by ADHD, but today, one child in seven receives an ADHD diagnosis by the age of 18. In 1990, 600,000 children were treated with medication such as Adderall for ADHD. By 2013, almost one in five boys in high school and 11 percent of all school-age children had received a diagnosis of ADHD, and the number on medication had reached 3.5 million, according to the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The only long-term condition diagnosed more frequently in children is asthma.

Meanwhile, ADHD is no longer seen as a childhood condition. Almost 16 million prescriptions for ADHD were written in 2012 for people between the ages of 20 and 39, almost triple the number written five years earlier. Between 2002 and 2010, there was a 750 percent increase in prescriptions of Adderall written for women between the ages of 26 and 39. Anecdotal stories indicate that many of these older users have learned what to tell a physician to get a prescription for a drug that helps them cope with stress, gives them energy, improves focus – and causes addiction.

How Adderall is Addictive

Due to its neurostimulating properties, Adderall, sometimes referred to as a smart drug, a brain drug or a study drug, is often abused by college students. Ambitious high school and college students often take Adderall to improve their concentration and focus, whether they have ADHD or not.

Athletes and mothers striving to be “super moms” also experience Adderall abuse. It helps them to overcome stress and temporarily gives them the feeling of confidence and coolness. Some people also abuse Adderall for weight loss. However, Adderall affects the brain in much the same way as cocaine, creating a feeling of euphoria by increasing dopamine levels. Prolonged or excessive use can cause mental or physical dependence.

Even if prescribed Adderall by a doctor for the treatment of ADHD or narcolepsy, adults may develop an Adderall addiction, especially those who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

Adderall abuse symptoms include:

Craving for the drug

Mood swings

An urge to increase the dose in order to achieve desired effects on the mind and body

What are the Potential Side-Effects of Adderall?

Misuse or abuse of Adderall is associated with several side-effects, which may be cardiovascular, neurological, gastro-intestinal, endocrinal or allergic in nature. Potential Adderall side-effects include:

Effects of Adderall on the Brain and Personality

Adderall stimulates neurotransmitters in the brain, so it can have a profound impact on a person’s neurological functioning and behavior. In chronic users, one of the most serious potential neurologic effects is psychosis, which means the person loses contact with reality, experiencing delusions and hallucinations.

Amphetamines, which are active constituents of Adderall, have also been linked to a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease by researchers. These compounds affect the release and uptake of dopamine, which is the key neurotransmitter involved in Parkinson's disease.

Acute administration of Adderall may provoke an array of dose-dependent behavioral changes like increased arousal or wakefulness, anorexia, hyperactivity and a state of rapture and excitement. These after-effects of the drug often lead to its abuse.

Although regular use of Adderall in ADHD helps improve focus and attention span, it is also associated with social withdrawal, difficulty in communicating with people, irritability, depression, nervousness and insomnia. Moreover, it can also impair a person’s decision-making ability.

Contraindications of Adderall

Adderall has a high potential for abuse. Individuals who are susceptible to abuse of alcohol or drugs, or those with a history of addiction, should avoid taking this medication. Adderall may also worsen the symptoms of certain diseases; therefore, sharing detailed medical history with the doctor is extremely important.

Adderall may cause side effects or adverse reactions when taken with medications or for conditions such as:

Anti-depressants like monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors

Alpha blockers, beta blockers and medications for high blood pressure

Antacids and other medications for heartburn or ulcers

Anticoagulants or blood thinners

Antihistamines for cold and allergies

Allergy to amphetamine and dextroamphetamine

Glaucoma

Hyperthyroidism

Defects like irregular heartbeat, hardening of the arteries, heart or blood vessel disease

Bipolar disorder

Pregnancy

Severe anxiety or agitation

Apart from these conditions, Adderall may also interfere with the performance of certain activities which require alertness and physical co-ordination like driving, swimming or operating machinery.

Adderall Addiction Treatment at DTRC

Drug Treatment and Rehab Centers (DTRC) offers addiction treatment programs that help people recover from dependencies on Adderall and other drugs or alcohol. Patients are screened and treated for all underlying and co-occurring conditions in order to reduce the risk of relapse. Through customized programming that combines individual and group psychotherapy and complementary alternative therapeutic activities such as yoga, meditation, art therapy, equine therapy, and music therapy, the programs at DTRC provide balanced, holistic treatment for the person, not the disorder. Call our Admissions team at (951) 221-4018 to learn more.

What is offered at Drug Treatment and Rehab Centers?

The addiction, mental health and dual diagnosis treatment programs at DTRC include a variety of holistic therapeutic activities to treat patients from head to toe and reduce the risk of relapse. Our programs utilize proven biopsychosocial treatment modalities, and are customized to the individual.

Besides counseling, what does the treatment include?

The programs at DTRC include much more than just the individual and group psychotherapy overseen by our licensed psychologists and counselors. We utilize proven complementary alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation, exercise, equine therapy, art therapy, and music therapy, as well as teach life skills and coping mechanisms to reduce the risk of relapse.

But I don’t think the problem is that serious…

Substance abuse and addiction problems respond better to treatment the earlier it starts. Many people abuse substances due to underlying mental health conditions, which likewise need to be addressed. If you think you have a problem, even if it seems small, seeking help will benefit you in the long run. You can stop the problem before it spirals out of control and creates irreparable damage to your health, well-being, and relationships.

Can legal substance still cause addiction?

Legality is not relevant to the question of whether a substance is addictive or not. In fact, many of the top abused substances are legal, including alcohol, tobacco, and prescription medication.

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